The Judas Kiss Struck a Gothic Match with Their Rock-Licked Darkwave Debut ‘The Eternal Flame (Burning Bright)’ –

If Florence Welch lent the firepower of her vocal cords to darkwave-drenched post-punk that hums with the same ominous charge as Sisters of Mercy’s most shadowy sonic spectres, the result would sound a lot like The Eternal Flame (Burning Bright) by The Judas Kiss. The Newcastle collective summoned a cinematic storm on the opening single from their debut LP The Mirror Crack’d, where moody synth stabs, snarling basslines, and caustic guitar solos circle around commanding vocals that teeter between seduction and menace. The sincerity might be stylised, but it thrums through every bar, turning the track into a gothic prayer for the lost and the restless.

Formed out of the ashes of Newcastle’s underground scene in 2021 by Steve “Mel” Melaney, who channelled his two decades of session work and production into building an immersive one-man soundscape before expanding into a full band, The Judas Kiss have built a reputation for crafting soundscapes that feel more like ritual than rock. Their music weaves themes of faith, horror, temptation, and urban decay into shimmering chorus-drenched guitars, cathedral-sized drums, and lyrical confessionals that cut close to the bone. With BBC Introducing already giving The Eternal Flame (Burning Bright) its first spin and industry interest gathering pace, The Judas Kiss are poised to etch their name into the annals of goth-rock history with an album that promises to burn just as intensely.

The Eternal Flame (Burning Bright) is now available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast